Combined heel positioner and arch support for the foot

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a heel positioner and arch support and method of making the same, in which the positioning support for the heel is made in situ, in one discrete section of the foot support, and the arch support is then made, in situ, in a second discrete section.

United States Patent Wesberg Dec. 30, 1975 [54] COMBINED HEEL POSITIONERAND ARCH 2,123,730 7/1938 Huttleston 128/595 X S O FOR THE FOOT2,177,116 10/1939 Perichino 1 1 128/594 2,365,807 12 1944 Dia1ynas. 128594 [76] Inventor: Al x We b rg, 615 N. R xf 2,677,906 5 1954 Reed128/595 X Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210 3,121,430 2/1964 OReilly128/595 22 Filed: Sept. 16, 1974 i Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet[21] Appl' 506,392 Assistant ExaminerJ. Yasko Attorney, Agent, or Firm1.Morley Drucker [52] US. Cl 128/595; 128/586 I [51] Int. Cl. A61F 5/14 57R CT [58] Field of Search 128/595, 581, 586, 594, h

122N607, 614; 36/28, 29, 3O, 44 The disclosure relates to a heelposltloner and are support and method of makmg the same, 1n wh1ch the[56] References Cited positioning support for the heel is made in situ,in one discrete section of the foot support, and the arch sup- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS port is then made, in situ, in a second discrete section.1,145,533 7/1915 Wetmore 128/594 2,080,499 5/1937 Nathansohn 128/594 X13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures EE/WOVi/EZE f7 HAY-Z 577/ 7 5N5? 70 4450/25 2404 5;

waxy/Z4) 4/ 14 US, Patent Dec. 30, 1975 VE 450 950 4/WOI/IV7' MUECZ SOCOMBINED HEEL POSITIONER AND ARCH SUPPORT FOR THE FOOT The firstdiscrete section is made at the heel portion of the foot, in a manner soas to stabilize the plantar surface of the heel section of the footunder the cancaneous bone. This is for the purpose of eliminating,reducing or minimizing the rotation forces applied to the heel sectionof the foot by the weight of the body, which would normally tend toproduce a pes valgus (outward bending) or a pes varus (inward bending)condition, as well as stabilizing the anterior posterior position of theleg in its function of bearing body weight.

Once the heel stabilizer section has been formed, in situ, a discretearch support section is then provided, in situ, for the arch portions ofthe foot so that the body weight will not tend to place strain upon theinner structures of the foot (bone joints, tendons, muscles, and relatedtissues), in the arch sections which connect the heel to the second partof the foot that support the body weight (i.e., the ball of the foot).

INTRODUCTION The necessity for an arch support is well covered in theliterature. To quote from Orthopedic Appliances, by Henry H. Jordan,Oxford University Press 1939, an arch support is used to effect acorrect, painless distribution of the weight to establish as far aspossible the correct position of the elements of the foot in relation tothe line of gravity of the leg.

Many individuals believe that an arch support should be formed in theshoe that it is to be worn with, so as to match simultaneously both theplantar surface of the foot and the inner sole of the shoe. The majorpurpose of my invention incorporates improved methods and means overthose previously proposed and used, to effect a proper balanced footsupport for those individuals that need and desire to use one. Theinvention is directed to a method and means of effecting properdistribution of body weight upon the plantar surface of the foot, withminimal strain, stress and distortion to the inner structures of thefoot.

It is well documented in medical literature that proper positioning andsupport of the feet leads in turn to the correct positioning of thelegs, knees, thigh, and back of the individual with resulting greatercomfort in these areas.

Theoretically, in a normal standing position, the weight born by a footis divided approximately between the heel and the ball of the foot.However, the heel bone of the foot is in a more direct line with theskeleton of the leg, and thus bears most of the actual total weight,with the ball of the foot and the connecting arch structures servingmainly a balancing function.

The stability and position of that part of the foot under the heel boneis most important in controlling the supination and pronation positionsof the foot, as well as anterior posterior stabilization of the leg. Theability to prevent involuntary supination or pronation and to provideproper anterior posterior stabilization leads to a more verticalposition of the leg and thus to a more normal position of the body as awhole.

Heel wedges, orthopedic heels, and other methods are generally used toposition the heel bone and obtain proper support in the heel area.However, these methods are inaccurate. A method and means which permits2 an in situ heel positioning is believed to be much more accurate.

It is known, that in order to construct an arch support within a shoe,with the foot in the shoe, a hydraulic system may be used. By this, itis meant that an initially flowable material enclosed within a chamberis placed under the plantar surface with the foot in the shoe in orderto flow under pressure and distribute itself in a pattern that isdetermined by the contour and pressures of the plantar surface againstthis material. The initially flowable material then sets or cures to thedesired configuration required to support the plantar surface in anoptimum manner.

Experiments with an insole device comprising a single chamber foracceptance of a settable fluid system showed that due to the greatamount of weight under the heel bone little or no material remained inthis critical heel area when the proper and sufficient amount ofmaterial was obtained in the arch section of the foot. This type ofapproach is perhaps best exemplifled by OReilly, US. Pat. No. 3,121,430.

Consequently, the single chamber approach of 0- Reilly did not prove tobe satisfactory. With this in mind, it was a major object of thisinvention to provide proper balance and support of the foot by firstproperly positioning and comfortably supporting the heel portion of thefoot by a first discrete heel support section, formed in situ, and thenforming, in situ, a second discrete section for support of the archportion of the foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is specifically directed to theformation of a dual chamber insole, in situ, the dual chamberscomprising, in general terms, a discrete heel positioning supportchamber and a discrete arch support chamber.

Inlets for the introduction of room temperature settable fluids, e.g.,silicones, into each of the chambers is provided. Room temperaturesettable fluids are designated in the trade as room temperaturevulcanizing (RTV) compounds. In situ molding to the heel and arch of thewearer are made as follows. The heel positioner and support is formed,in situ, by injecting RTV fluids into the discrete heel positionersection. While the insole support envelope is in place between the footof the user and the inner surface of the shoe, the user remains inseated position, with his body weight off the foot, while the positionerand support is being formed. In this way, the heel positioner andsupport may be properly formed without undue displacement of settablematerial.

After curing of the settable material in the heel section, the secondsupport chamber is injected with a measured amount of the same settableplastic fluid. While the user is in standing position with his weight onthe envelope the fluid on setting will conform to the plantar surface ofthe wearer, the conformity, however, being of an optimal nature,however, due to the proper positioning of the heel by the heel supportsection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view, inperspective, of the insole support envelope of my invention, showing thevarious chambers therein. The insole envelope is shown prior to theintroduction therein of settable fluids for foot support purposes andprior to its insertion into the left shoe of a user;

3 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insert envelope of FIG. 1,taken along line 22 at a time after introduction of RTV fluid into theheel support section of my insert support envelope;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the finished insole support of myinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of insole support taken along the line44 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The insole support ofmy invention, shown in FIG. 3 and designated by the numeral is made, ingeneral, by injecting RTV fluids into dual chambers formed in an insertsupport envelope, the insole support envelope for the left foot beingshown in FIG. 1.

The insert support envelope of FIG. 1 is designated generally by thenumeral 12. The envelope 12 is provided with an upper panel or layer ofa preferably fabric-lined plastic sheeting 14, the fabric lining (notshown) being internally mounted to the sheeting 14. The sheeting 14 maycomprise, by way of example, a fabric backed (or lined) vinyl or afabric backed polyurethane of suitable thickness and flexibility, thepurpose of the fabric lining being to provide a mechanical bond betweenthe fabric of sheeting 14 and the curved RTV plastic.

The bottom panel or layer 16 of the insert support envelope 12 comprisesa preferably transparent, plastic sheet of flexible polyvinyl chlorideor polyurethane, that is readily welded to upper panel 14 alongperipheral weld lines 17 and internal weld lines 19, 19a. The internaland peripheral weld lines 17, 19, 19a form a heel positioner and supportchamber 20 and an arch support chamber 22, respectively.

An injection pocket 24 is also provided in communication with heelsupport chamber 20, through neck 40, the injection pocket 24 beingpreferably formed of a pair of superposed layers 16a and 140 which aremerely medial continuations of layers 16 and 14, respectively.

An overflow pocket 26 is provided which communicates only with archsupport chamber 22, through an opening coinciding with the dotted line27. The overflow pocket 26 and its inlet port 42 are preferably formedas part of insert support envelope l2, and the upper and lower panels orlayers constituting the overflow pocket 26 and inlet port 42, are thusmedial continuations of the upper and lower layers 14 and 16,respectively.

The welding of upper and lower sheets or panels, 14, 16 is readilyperformed by conventional dielectric sealing means. The lower panel 16forming the insert support envelope is approximately 10-1 5 mils inthickness and it is also presently preferred that the inner surfacethereof have a textured configuration. The textured surface aids theflow characteristics of the presently preferred settable fluid, (whichis a room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone) during formation ofthe insert support, and also will impart a textured finish to the curedsilicone layer of the finished product which will aid in maintainingthis insert support in place when worn in the shoe.

The top layer 14 of the insert support envelope 12 is preferablyprovided with a removable heel stiffener 32. The heel stiffener 32comprises a fairly rigid plastic piece, e.g., made of polyvinyl acetateof about a 20 mil thickness. The heel stiffener 32 is positioned overthe heel support chamber 20 by means of a stiffener pocket 4 37. Thepocket 37 is formed simply by dielectric welding a flexible vinyl sheet35 of perhaps lOl2 mils in thickness along the periphery of the heelsupport chamber 20 only. The stiffener 32 extends forwardly of thestiffener pocket 37 so formed. The detailed purpose of the heelstiffener 32 will be later described.

The periphery of the insert support 10, formed by weld line 17, is suchas to preferably form a finished insert support which approximates theinnersole area of the shoe to be fitted.

The peripheralwelds along lines 17d, 17c, 17a and 17b form a flexibleinjection port 41 to chamber 20, a flexible overflow pocket 26 and aflexible injection port 42 to chamber 22, respectively. The heelpositioner chamber 20 is formed by weld line 19 which line runsapproximately below the line of insertion of the spring and long plantarligaments into the calcaneous (heel) bone. The arch support chamber 22is formed by weld line 19 and by anterior weld line 19a which is in theball area of the plantar surface.

The injection pocket 24 (and its entrance port 41 and neck 40) togetherwith overflow pocket 26 (and its entrance port 42) are sometimesreferred to generally hereinafter, and in the claims, as first andsecond flexible conduit means extending medially with respect to theheel support and arch support chambers, respectively. These first andsecond conduit means each preferably have a length in excess of theheight of the shoe measured from the insole to the upper edge of theshoe in order to avoid any overflow of material into the wearers shoe.

The upper and lower layers l4, 16 of envelope 12 preferably extendanteriorly of weld line 19a, in order to cover the full inner sole ofthe shoe as an additional means of maintaining the insole support 10 ofthis invention in place. It is not a requirement, how ever, and thesupport insert 10 could terminate anteriorly along line 19a.

The envelope 12 may be out between weld lines 17b and to facilitateindependent manipulation of the entry ports 41 and 42 to chambers 20,22.

The neck 40of the injection pocket 24 is proportioned so that the nozzle48 of an injection syringe 53 can be tightly wedged into the neck 40while injecting the settable plastic mix into the heel support chambers20. The neck 40 of the heel chamber 20 thus preferably narrows to adiameter of not more than one-half inch. The purpose of this neckingdown is to minimize the escape of any RTV fluid material from the heelchamber 20 during the formation and setting of the heel support section.

The amount of RTV settable fluid injected into the heel chamber 20 isbased on a numerical formula relating volume to heel chamber area to belater set forth herein. Further, during the actual setting of thematerial in the heel chamber 20, the injection pocket 24 is turned upinside the shoe of the wearer, and material overflow through neck 40, isgreatly inhibited. Moreover, the heel stiffener 32 prevents outflow ofmaterial through the neck 40 by offering a barrier or dam to anyoverflow through neck 40.

The overflow pocket 26, in contrast, communicates with arch supportchamber 22, by means of a very wide neck indicated, generally, by dottedline 27. Excess RTV fluid can thus readily escape from chamber 22 duringthe molding operation of the arch support.

Both chambers 20, 22 together with their respective flexible conduitmeans, are open systems for the purpose of placing the RTV fluid intothese chambers, and at the same time, allowing any air trapped in thechambers 20, 22 to be expelled. In this connection, it is foundadvantageous to manipulate the RTV plastic fluid once it has been placedinto the chambers 20, 22 in such a manner as to collect the trapped airand to expel this air out of the chambers 20, 22 through the ports 40,41, 42.

MATERIALS EMPLOYED The preferred room temperature settable material atthis time is one of a series of silicone rubber compounds manufacturedby General Electric Company, Silicone Products Department, Waterford,NY. 12188.

These room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicones are preferablytwo-part compounds, such as General Electrics RTV-1041 (wherein thepreferred curing agent is General Electrics CS 4097C or CS- 4096C).Other successfully employed compounds include General Electrics RTV l land RTV 1012. Other materials of choice are found in GEs Technical DataBook 5-35 and Product Data on Silicone Dental Moldings and FormulatingCompounds (Bulletin No. CDS- 316).

The use of a silicone rubber has the following major advantages:

1. it is physiologically inert;

2. after mixing and setting, it has very poor adhesive qualities,especially to plastics, leather and skin. This makes clean up of excessand spilled material very easy.

3. it is easy to repair or add to the cured material. A

new mix will bond to an old one.

4. Mechanical bonding is simple and strong. This is the reason for thefabric backing to the upper layer of the envelope.

Other materials, such as a two part polyurethane base and catalystsystem may also be used but at the present state of the art, it is amore sensitive and difficult material to use than the siliconematerials.

PROCEDURE 1. Place a strip of two sided adhesive tape 40 on inner sideof each shoe to hold the insert support envelope 12 in place during thesetting period.

2. Place the plastic stiffener 32 into pocket former 37 of each insertsupport envelope 12.

3. Dispense a predetermined amount of a settable fluid such as an RTVsilicone rubber base compound into a large syringe (a sufficientquantity being that required for two heel chambers The amount to bedispensed into each chamber should be approximately one-half cc per sq.cm of the finished heel chamber 20. However, this amount is somewhatvariable and will depend upon the configuration of the insole of theshoe being fitted and the amount of heel positioning correction that maybe desired.

4. Fill a small calibrated syringe (not shown) with a desired curingagent in a ratio of about one-tenth amount of the silicone compoundplaced in large syrmge.

5. Inject the contents of small syringe into the large syringe 53.

6. Mix thoroughly with a spatula (not shown) for approximately I minute.Thorough mixing is important to obtain a proper set.

7. Screw a plastic nozzle 48 onto the syringe 53 and while holdingsyringe with the nozzle up, expel trapped air from syringe and nozzle.

8. Insert the nozzle 48 into the injection pocket 24 of the heel supportchamber 20 and expel the predetermined amount of mix into chamber 20, asmeasured by the calibrations on the syringe 53.

9. Repeat Step 8 to fill the heel support chamber (20) for the otherinsert support envelope.

10. For each insert support envelope 12, all of the material is manuallyforced away from the neck 40. This will result in trapped air beingforced toward the neck 40, and the air bubble is then forced out throughthe neck. The procedure is'repeated 2 or 3 times, to make sure all airis removed.

11. After all air is removed, bend over the ends of each injectionpocket 24 and close them off by clamping spring clips (not shown) ontothe openings of the injection pockets.

12. Place the envelope 12 in their respective shoes, holding the same inproper position with the two sided adhesive strip 40. The entrance ports41 always face medially, that is, toward the opposite foot.

13. Place each foot in the proper shoe and lace same. This must be donein a sitting position. Total body weight should never be placed on theenvelope 12 while the heel section is being formed. There is a slightdanger of breaking the plastic welds 17, 19, 19a and forcing the mixonto the shoe, and more importantly, there is no control over the flowof the material that is required in order to obtain the properconfiguration necessary to obtain the correct heel support (position andstability).

14. The setting time of the silicone is approximately 15 minutes fromthe time the curing agent is incorporated into the compound. Aboutone-half of this time (approximately 7 to 8 min.) is allowed for theabove steps 5 through l3.

15. In a sitting position, the feet are placed together with the legsvertical. This position must be maintained for approximately another 7to 10 minutes. The time can be determined by watching and testing asmall quantity of the mixed material until it reaches a tackfreeconsistency.

16. The position of the feet together and the legs vertical (the legbeing that portion of the anatomy between the knees and ankles) is theposition to be used for an individual that does not require any majorcorrection of the foot position. If there is a need to add correction tothe pattern of the compound, it can be done by positioning the leg andfoot (keeping the sole of the shoe flat upon the floor) in a positionthat is opposite to the condition for which correction is desired. Thus,for example, if a pronated foot, or pes valgus, exists and a correctionis desired then the leg and foot should be placed so that a position ofsupination, or pes varus, is maintained during the setting period of thesettable fluid, e.g., the silicon mix. Corrections such as this andothers that may be required should generally be prescribed by anorthopedic physician or a podiatrist.

17. When the sample of the mix shows that it has set the shoes areremoved, and the envelopes l2 taken out.

18. The heel stiffeners 32 are then removed. The purpose of the heelstiffener 32 is to prevent undue displacement of soft tissue areas ofthe heel, particularly on the peripheries thereof, and especially on themesialanterior corner of the heel area, by the hydraulic pressuresexerted by the silicone material itself. The stiffener 32, which may beof about 20 mil in thickness, is still sufficiently flexible to allowproper distribution of the silicone material, while preventing unduebuild up and displacement in any particular area. The pattern of therigid stiffener is such that it will preferably extend anterior to theborder of the heel chamber 20, again to prevent excess material fromcollecting in the mesial-anterior corner. It is possible, also, toeliminate the heel stiffener 32 entirely by making the heel section oflayer 14 of a more rigid material while maintaining the arch supportsection of a more flexible nature.

19. Repeats Steps 3 through 12, and fill arch support chambers 22 ofeach envelope 12. The amount of material is not critical but an excessis desired and provided for by the overflow pocket 26. Approximately 2to 3 times the quantity of material used in the heel chamber will berequired. This will vary and depend upon the shape and type of shoe, theheight of the individuals arch, and any correction that may be desired.Also, before placing the envelopes 12 into the shoe all of the fluid isforced to the lateral wall (away from the entrance port 42). This willaid the flow characteristics of the material, and will also aid in theexpulsion of any air not previously removed.

20. With the envelopes l2 properly placed in the shoes, and the feetinto the shoes, they are laced and the person is placed in a normalstanding position with the legs vertical and feet together (or nearlyso). This position is to be maintained for about 2 to 3 minutes andshould not exceed the flowability time of the mix. In this period oftime the mix will flow into those areas of the arch section of theplantar surface that are not receiving support from the shoe structuresand all excess material will go into the overflow chamber 26. The footis not flexed nor is any pressure applied, as by walking, during thisperiod. Due to the previous correction in the heel chamber 20, the legwill be in a more normal vertical position with little or no tendencyfor abnormal or improper positioning, such as pronation or supination,and thus the fluid in the arch chamber will flow in such a pattern as tosupport the arches (both longitudinal and transverse) in a more normalposition for the given individual wearing the shoes being fitted.However, if correction is desired, the foot and leg should be positionedas outlined in Step 16. Correction can be placed into either the heelportion or the arch portion, or both, depending on the existing footdeformlty.

21. While the material is still in a flowable state, the person shouldsit down with the legs and feet in the same position as described inSteps l5l6. The reason for this is to allow for the relaxation of anycompressed soft tissue of the plantar surface and to allow any slightmodifications of the fluid pattern to compensate for this condition. Thefeet and legs are maintained in this position until the material is set.

22. The envelopes 12 are now removed from the shoes. The injectionpocket 24 and overflow chambers 26 are cut off along the cut line 27 andalong neck 40 respectively. The vinyl sheet 37 (forming the stiffenerpocket) is removed, the lower layer 16 may also be removed from bothheel positioning and arch support chambers 20, 22.

The finished support insert comprises the reinforced upper layer 14,molded in two discrete parts to form a properly conforming heelpositioning section 52 and a properly conforming arch support section54. See

FIGS. 3 and 4. Specifically, the finished insole support comprises thereinforced upper sheet 14, a discrete heel positioner support section 52formed of molded (in situ) plastic, e.g., silicone rubber, affixed tothe upper sheet 14, and a discrete arch support section, also formed ofmolded-in-place plastic (e.g., silicone rubber) and affixed to the saidupper sheet. Both the heel support section and the arch support sectionare spacedly separated by the weld line 19, which is essentially free ofthe molded plastic material. Because the weld line 19 spacedly separatesthe heel and arch sections, and is free of molded plastic material, itis inherent that pressure applied to one of the sections will not betransmitted to the other of the sections.

It will also be understood that the heel positioner and support section52 could be separately formed completely independently of the archsupport section 54. In this case, the heel section 52 once formed, couldbe then affixed to a separate larger sheet or envelope, for the moldingof the arch support section 54. The method and means described withreference to FIGS. l-4 are presently preferred, however.

Modifications of this invention may be made which lie within the scopeof this invention, as in modifying techniques and materials. I intend,therefore, to be bound only by the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. An insert support envelope for support of a foot in a shoe, whichcomprises:

a discrete heel positioning and support chamber formed by at least apair of superposed plastic sheets;

a discrete arch support chamber formed by a pair of superposed plasticsheets;

a weld line, constituted by the lamination of superposed plastic sheets,spacedly separating said discrete heel positioning support chamber fromsaid discrete arch support chamber whereby pressure applied to said heelchamber is not transmitted to said arch chamber, and pressure applied tosaid arch chamber is not transmitted to said heel chamher;

a first inlet means communicating only with said heel positioning andsupport chamber for the purpose of injecting molding compound andallowing escape of trapped air; and

a second inlet means communicating only with said arch support chamberfor the purpose of injecting molding compound and allowing escape oftrapped air.

2. The insert support envelope of claim 1 wherein said first and secondinlet means are flexible conduit means extending medially with respectto said heel support and arch support chambers.

3. The insert support envelope of claim 1 in which the interior of oneof said plastic sheets is fabric-lined to permit mechanical bonding ofthe molding compound to said plastic sheet.

4. The insert support envelope of claim 2 in which the distance of themedial extension of the conduit means of said first and second inletmeans is in excess of the height of a shoe measured from the insole tothe upper edge of the shoe.

5. The insert support envelope of claim 2 in which said conduit meanscommunicating with said arch support chamber constitutes an overflowpocket for excess molding compound.

generalized foot shape being marginally welded to each other and weldedalso along a line internally of said marginal welds to delineate a heelpositioner portion and an arch support portion, said superposed plasticsheets together with said marginal welds and internal weld line forminga discrete heel positioner and support chamber and a discrete archsupport chamber, said internal weld line spacedly separating saiddiscrete heel positioner and support chamber from said discrete archsupport chamber whereby pressure applied to one of said chambers is nottransmitted to the other of said chambers;

a first conduit means communicating only with said heel support chamber;and

a second conduit means communicating only with said arch supportchamber, said second conduit means serving as an overflow pocket forexcess plastic fluid.

9. An insole support which comprises:

a plastic sheet;

a discrete heel positioner and support section formed of molded plasticand affixed to said plastic sheet; and

a discrete arch support section formed of molded plastic and affixed tosaid plastic sheet, immediately adjacent to said heel support section,both said heel support section and said arch support section beingspacedly separated by an area of said plastic sheet itself, which areais essentially free of molded plastic material whereby pressure appliedto one said section is not transmitted to the other of said section.

10. An insert support envelope for support of a foot in a shoe, whichcomprises:

a discrete heel positioning and support chamber formed by at least apair of superposed plastic sheets;

a discrete arch support chamber formed by a pair of superposed plasticsheets;

a heel stiffener piece removably mounted, in overlying position, withrespect to said heel support chamber of said envelope whereby to controlthe 10 flow pattern of molding compound injected into said heel supportchamber;

a first inlet means communicating only with said heel positioning andsupport chamber for the purpose of injecting molding compound andallowing escape of trapped air; and

a second inlet means communicating only with said arch support chamberfor the purpose of injecting molding compound and allowing escape oftrapped air.

11. An insert support envelope for support of a foot in a shoe, whichcomprises:

a discrete heel positioning and support chamber formed by at least apair of superposed plastic sheets;

a discrete arch support chamber formed by a pair of superposed plasticsheets, the upper of said plastic sheets forming said heel supportchamber being less flexible than the upper sheet forming said archsupport chamber, whereby to control the flow pattern of fluid injectedinto said heel support chamber;

a first inlet means communicating only with said heel positioning andsupport chamber for the purpose of injecting molding compound andallowing escape of trapped air; and

a second inlet means communicating only with said arch support chamberfor the purpose of injecting molding compound and allowing escape oftrapped air.

12. An insert support envelope which comprises:

a pair of superposed plastic sheets, each having a generalized footshape being marginally welded to each other and welded also along a lineinternally of said marginal welds to delineate a heel positioner portionand an arch support portion, said superposed plastic sheets togetherwith said weld lines forming a discrete heel positioner and supportchamber and a discrete arch support chamber; heel stiffener meansremovably mounted to said envelope in the area of said heel positionerand support chamber;

a first conduit means communicating only with said heel support chamber;and

a second conduit means communicating only with said arch supportchamber, said second conduit means serving as an overflow pocket forexcess plastic fluid.

13. The insole support of claim 9 wherein said plastic sheet isinitially fabric-lined on the face on which said heel and arch sectionsare affixed.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO.3,929,140

DATED December 30, l975 INV I ALEX WEISBERG It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

The correct name of the inventor is AL X WEISBERG and not ALEX WESBERG.

Signed and Sealed this sixteenth I) ay Of March I 9 76 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (mnmissimwr oj'Patemsand Trademarks

1. An insert support envelope for support of a foot in a shoe, whichcomprises: a discrete heel positioning and support chamber formed by atleast a pair of superposed plastic sheets; a discrete arch supportchamber formed by a pair of superposed plastic sheets; a weld line,constituted by the lamination of superposed plastic sheets, spacedlyseparating said discrete heel positioning support chamber from saiddiscrete arch support chamber whereby pressure applied to said heelchamber is not transmitted to said arch chamber, and pressure applied tosaid arch chamber is not transmitted to said heel chamber; a first inletmeans communicating only with said heel positioning and support chamberfor the purpose of injecting molding compound and allowing escape oftrapped air; and a second inlet means communicating only with said archsupport chamber for the purpose of injecting molding compound andallowing escape of trapped air.
 2. The insert support envelope of claim1 wherein said first and second inlet means are flexible conduit meansextending medially with respect to said heel support and arch supportchambers.
 3. The insert support envelope of claim 1 in which theinterior of one of said plastic sheets is fabric-lined to permitmechanical bonding of the molding compound to said plastic sheet.
 4. Theinsert support envelope of claim 2 in which the distance of the medialextension of the conduit means of said first and second inlet means isin excess of the height of a shoe measured from the insole to the upperedge of the shoe.
 5. The insert support envelope of claim 2 in whichsaid conduit means Communicating with said arch support chamberconstitutes an overflow pocket for excess molding compound.
 6. Theinsert support envelope of claim 2 in which said flexible conduit meanscommunicating with said heel support chamber is provided with a narrowinlet.
 7. The insert support envelope of claim 1 wherein adhesive meansis affixed to the normally underside of said envelope to hold saidenvelope to the insole of a shoe during the molding of the support. 8.An insert support envelope which comprises: a pair of superposed plasticsheets, each having a generalized foot shape being marginally welded toeach other and welded also along a line internally of said marginalwelds to delineate a heel positioner portion and an arch supportportion, said superposed plastic sheets together with said marginalwelds and internal weld line forming a discrete heel positioner andsupport chamber and a discrete arch support chamber, said internal weldline spacedly separating said discrete heel positioner and supportchamber from said discrete arch support chamber whereby pressure appliedto one of said chambers is not transmitted to the other of saidchambers; a first conduit means communicating only with said heelsupport chamber; and a second conduit means communicating only with saidarch support chamber, said second conduit means serving as an overflowpocket for excess plastic fluid.
 9. An insole support which comprises: aplastic sheet; a discrete heel positioner and support section formed ofmolded plastic and affixed to said plastic sheet; and a discrete archsupport section formed of molded plastic and affixed to said plasticsheet, immediately adjacent to said heel support section, both said heelsupport section and said arch support section being spacedly separatedby an area of said plastic sheet itself, which area is essentially freeof molded plastic material whereby pressure applied to one said sectionis not transmitted to the other of said section.
 10. An insert supportenvelope for support of a foot in a shoe, which comprises: a discreteheel positioning and support chamber formed by at least a pair ofsuperposed plastic sheets; a discrete arch support chamber formed by apair of superposed plastic sheets; a heel stiffener piece removablymounted, in overlying position, with respect to said heel supportchamber of said envelope whereby to control the flow pattern of moldingcompound injected into said heel support chamber; a first inlet meanscommunicating only with said heel positioning and support chamber forthe purpose of injecting molding compound and allowing escape of trappedair; and a second inlet means communicating only with said arch supportchamber for the purpose of injecting molding compound and allowingescape of trapped air.
 11. An insert support envelope for support of afoot in a shoe, which comprises: a discrete heel positioning and supportchamber formed by at least a pair of superposed plastic sheets; adiscrete arch support chamber formed by a pair of superposed plasticsheets, the upper of said plastic sheets forming said heel supportchamber being less flexible than the upper sheet forming said archsupport chamber, whereby to control the flow pattern of fluid injectedinto said heel support chamber; a first inlet means communicating onlywith said heel positioning and support chamber for the purpose ofinjecting molding compound and allowing escape of trapped air; and asecond inlet means communicating only with said arch support chamber forthe purpose of injecting molding compound and allowing escape of trappedair.
 12. An insert support envelope which comprises: a pair ofsuperposed plastic sheets, each having a generalized foot shape beingmarginally welded to each other and welded also along a line internallyof said marginal welds to delineate a heel positioner portion and anarch support portion, said superposed plastic sheetS together with saidweld lines forming a discrete heel positioner and support chamber and adiscrete arch support chamber; a heel stiffener means removably mountedto said envelope in the area of said heel positioner and supportchamber; a first conduit means communicating only with said heel supportchamber; and a second conduit means communicating only with said archsupport chamber, said second conduit means serving as an overflow pocketfor excess plastic fluid.
 13. The insole support of claim 9 wherein saidplastic sheet is initially fabric-lined on the face on which said heeland arch sections are affixed.